RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A combined retrospective chart review and cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Psychiatry and Mental Health Clinic of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) over an 18-month period, examining 286 patients diagnosed with MDD or TRD. Data were analyzed from governmental and societal perspectives, including direct medical costs, indirect costs, and other resource utilization.
RESULTS: TRD patients exhibited significantly higher health-care utilization, including a fivefold increase in the likelihood of attending more than 10 consultations (p = 0.035) and greater use of second-generation antipsychotics (p